Pic of the day

Trainer Steve Miyadi clocking a worker during morning trainging hours.

No, I'm not dead

Despite the neglect the blog has endured, it is not due to my untimely demise as one emailer asked.

Super Likit won her last start, in fact, and is in again Friday against a very tough field. She is entered in a 6 furlong affair run over the main track for three year old fillies. Eleven are slated to run. Either of the uncoupled Sherman fillies could win it, as could the Mathis or Lage entrant. Those four along with Super Likit will likely garner the bulk of the betting dollar. Even though Super Likit is 15-1 on the morning line, I'd bet she goes off somewhere closter to 8-1 in a very competitive race.

'Dorf acting a fool

This is the first in what will hopefully be a continuing, if sporadic, series of otherwise respectable horsemen (or those perceived as such) looking completely ridiculous.

Jerry Hollendorfer pictured putting up his dukes after someone dared mock his surname. You'd think he'd be used to it by now. In his defense, Jerry has gained new pride in his family name after learning Hollendorfer will be the named used in the next teen movie for the super dorky kid who is perpetually engaged in an online roll playing game and never gets any pussy.

Sanguinetti notches first local win

Blogger scores at windows


For this intrepid blogger, the best race of the day was not an east coast stake or even the local feature, but the 4th at Golden Gate today in which my new favorite jockey, Annie Sanguinetti, brought home a 6-1 shot on whom I'd plunked down more than a few shekels.

Carlos Nieto finished second aboard Phenomanal Star at 23-1 and Barrington Harvey again outran his odds on the 35-1 Thunder Bebe to round out a $1,587.70 trifecta. The Steve Miyadi trained odds-on favorite, Punch Maryland, finished a well beaten sixth after setting the pace and fading like a bad dye job.

Per the chart, Annie's mount, Luckyanunoit, broke alertly, took a favorable striking position into the first turn while three wide to the backstretch, remained a factor three wide on the second turn, rallied into the lane, gained command in mid stretch and won driving.

Above top, Annie charges to the lead aboard Luckyanunoit with interstate 80 and the town of Albany in the background. Above right, Annie hands out goggles to diminutive railbirds

New faces in Nor Cal

Mike at CurbBlog has reported the arrival of jockeys Rafael Bejarano and Julien Leparoux on the SoCal circuit. There are also several new arrivals at Golden Gate Fields to the north, and not just those fleeing the highly competitive SoCal circuit.

Carlos Gonzalez came in from Louisiana Downs where he had been a top 5 rider. Mario Gutierrez is in from Hastings Park and is getting good business from the Canadian contingency of trainers that always turn up this time of year. Annie Sanguinetti has come in from Thistle and Presque Isle and is the only female rider on our circuit. She was also the only jock to have previously ridden on Tapeta, winning on her first two mounts at Presque Isle Downs during their inaugural meet. There are also rumors that Omar Figueroa, who was a bug in NorCal, will be returning from a few years on the tougher SoCal circuit.

Super Likit 2nd; Golden Gate Fields debuts new surface, full fields

Super Likit finish a game second on opening day at Golden Gate Fields on Wednesday in closing fashion on a day when speed dominated on the new Tapeta surface.

As reported in the popular racing press, times were fast and the maintenance crew took steps to slow it down over the next few days. By Sunday, closers were dominating, although some attributed the change to rain the track took Saturday night.

One other item of note has been field size. This welcome change in the NorCal racing product did create one notable SNAFU. [style guide gurus please advise if snafu has ceased to be an acronym] Sunday's sixth race was originally scheduled for turf at a mile and drew twelve entrants. When the race was washed off the turf due to rain, no one scratched. This created a problem because only 10 horses are permitted to go postward in a one mile race on the main track due to how close the start would be to the clubhouse turn. Since no one scratched the stewards were in quite a predicament. They decided to simply run the race with all twelve. What was immediately clear was that the race was no longer a one mile race, though. The starting gate was set some fifty yards farther back from where it would be for a true mile race. At Golden Gate Fields, a one mile race on the main track almost always has a run up, but on Sunday this run up was significantly longer than usual. It is a shame the betting public was not made aware.

Picture of the Golden Gate Bridge taken from Golden Gate Fields

Super Likit tries to get off the schneid

Super Likit is back in action opening day at Golden Gate Fields facing a full field of $4,000 claimers [pdf warning] in a six furlong affair over the synthetic Tapeta surface. Super Likit drew post position three in the race, which is carded as the fifth on an eight race card.

She fits well in this group and has shown an affinity for Micheal Dickinson's Tapeta racing surface in the mornings. We hope these factors can get her home.

NaBloPoMo

Sure, everyone has heard of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) but today is also the first day of NaBloPoMo or National Blog Posting Month. I can't promise to post everyday, but I'll try to do better than recent behavior suggests.

Left at the Gate's Alan Mann blogs for NTRA

If you're not reading Alan Mann, you're probably not a serious racing fan

Alan Mann, long the title holder for best horse racing blogger, began blogging for the Breeder's Cup folks a few weeks back, in addition to keeping up his mainstay blog Left at the Gate. If you read Crist's or Illman's blog at drf.com and want to know what inspired them, it's Alan's slice of the blogosphere. Few have done it longer and nobody does it better.

John Henry was loved by all

John Henry, dead at 32
He stands for something that we so envy in today's game. He was tough, as in his duel with The Bart, and had stamina not just to go a route of ground, but to race at the top of the game at a shockingly advanced age. He was the first horse I was aware of, and will always hold a special place in my heart.

New Basset Hound on the Block

Finally the innerweb has expanded it's cannon of blogs embracing the nexus of blues and horse racing. Ernie Munick waxes equine and blusical at his recently launched blog. Craft shines through in his writing which reminds me how enjoyable noncommercial prose can be. I knew to expect good things when the gorgeous classicist, noted author and armchair handicapper Mandy Keifetz offered her endorsement. NY racing fans may recognize the Keifetz name as her brother has campaigned many useful horses including the G3 Affectionately winner Austin's Mom. The bee hive of witty, talented folks with engrossing ideas and novel ways to communicate them is, along with the food & art & racing, a great draw of New York.

Super Likit Update

Super Likit returned to action last week. After an offensive first after the claim outing, she turned things around and briefly flashed an impressive turn of foot nearing the wire to nose out the odds-on favorite for third. Check the chart (pdf warning).

Horsemen Turn Up When Least Expected

While taking a little R&R from the track in Kauai, I ran into trainer Eddie Truman on a hiking trail through a remote part of the island. Eddie too is taking a little break from the racetrack. We're pictured here looking ridiculous on cliff's edge over looking Waimea Canyon.

Super Likit Disappoints

Last week Super Likit ran a lackluster race. Even though we thought it a tough spot for her to win since it was too short and there were a coupla nice fillies with backclass in there, I was very disappointed with her effort. She just didn't do much running. Worse yet, Jockey Barrington Harvey said she was trying. I hope we don't discover that is the pinnacle of her abilities. Jamey said she came out of the race find and didn't find anything awry. Since we don't have any other explanation, Jamey might try taking the blinkers back off next time.

Tapeta Coming to Golden Gate Fields

While Bay Meadows is running in the South Bay, Golden Gate Fields is installing the synthetic surface Tapeta on it's east bay racetrack. Tapeta was developed by Englishman Michael Dickinson and you can read all about it on their website.

The new Eire, PA track Presque Isle Downs was the first to install Tapeta. You can read wonderfully comprehensive coverage--from horsemen's impressions to track biases at Valerie's Foolish Pleasure blog.

Recent Acquisition

While Movement is enjoying some R&R at what I can only assume is a 5 star resort given the day rate they're charging, I have dipped into the owners account once more. On August 18th we claimed Super Likit (pictured left with budding horseman Troy Thomas) out of a 4k condition claimer where the filly finished a game 2nd.

I'm blessed to be in partnership with long time owner BJ, and first time owner Alex--great gentlemen, both. BJ, or Bob James as you'll see him listed regularly in the past performances, is one of the most enthusiastic owners you could ever meet. The long time racehorse owner brings a wonderfully contagious energy and lust for the game every time he graces the grandstand.

Alex too has a history with horses, growing up in Northern England where he took in days at the races at Doncaster Racecourse. I got to know Alex shortly after moving to the west coast, and I have been pestering him furiously for years to go in on a horse with me. It wont be long now before I find out if he curses my name or sings my praises for railroading him into this shaky endeavor.

Super Likit is entered in the 2nd race on Friday at Bay Meadows. She drew the 4 hole and will be adding blinkers in the five and one half furlong affair to be contested over the main track.

Forster takes shot in east coast graded stake

I, personally, as well as the entire worldwide staff of the Tote Board Brad blogging empire, would like to wish friend of the blog, Grant Forster, and his colt Brother Bobby the best of luck in Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Grant commented on the race and his colt saying,

Bobby has returned from his farm vacation reinvigorated and is training as though ready to take on the world. The field is not a soft one but that should not be expected of a race who can boast to having had such winners as Carry Back, Bold Ruler, Nashua, Spectacular Bid, Spend A Buck, Alysheba, and Ghostzapper, among others.

Bobby finished 2nd to Lawyer Ron in the Oaklawn Handicap at 39-1. I'm pulling for equally generous odds on Saturday.

Lage records 1,000th win

Big ups are due trainer Armando Lage after notching his 1000th career win on Monday.

Not only does Armando sport a high win percentage--you'll consistently find his name at or near the top of the NorCal standings--it's a rare occasion indeed for a horse to be claimed out of the Lage barn and subsequently prove profitable. This is strong evidence he is not among the successful trainers that became so due to their salesmanship. No, this 1k club member is a serious horseman.

While most trainers fall somewhere in the continuum between aloof and surly, Armando is a bred apart. He is perhaps the most personable trainer on the backstretch. He smiles and greets high end owners and backstretch hardknuckles alike with joy and zeal.

His admirers look forward to joining the trainer along the journey toward his next 1,000 wins.

top, Armando with Russell Baze. right, jockeys' agents Mark North and Bob Hack toast Lage's 1,000th win

Meet the shoer

No one ever says farrier on the backstrecth. When a horse's feet need attention, trainers call their shoer, or for old timers, possibly their plater. Regardless of your choice of terms, it's the same occupation and at Northern California racetracks, that man is Denny Francis. He was kind enough to find some time to talk about his job and a few of the different shoes worn by the racehorses we love.

If you have any questions about horseshoes or a shoers duties, send me a note or leave a comment and I'll ask. If you're feeling particularly ambitions, send a video question a la the recent YouTube presidential debates and I'll splice it in with the response.

**here's a slightly higher res version for those that prefer windows media files.

Angel Felix Tops in Nightcap

Angel Felix, perhaps the most under rated jockey in California, guided the 7-1 Steve Miyadi trained Sunny Wager home in the Saturday Finale at Bay Meadows.

While Felix consistently serves up smart and energetic rides, he is particularly tough in the last race of the day. During each of the last three Fair meets (Solano, Santa Rosa & today at Bay Meadows Fair) he has had one nightcap mount, and has won in each. If you see Angel aboard late in the day, do yourself a favor and make a trip to the windows.

Image courtesy of Bill Vassar

Awaiting Kaenel's return

Kyle Kaenel is currently off all mounts while recuperating from a spill earlier in the summer. Reportedly he cracked a vertebrae, but I've seen him several times since and he is in otherwise fine health and in good spirits. A day or two before his fall I took this photo of him tossing the pigskin with other jockeys in the Stockton paddock.

I've seen this movie before

Movement finished third on Wednesday. Check the chart or the video on calracing.com. I don't want to talk about it.

Movement back in action Wednesday

The filly drew post position 8 in a ten horse field of $8k maiden claimers. The race is carded as the tenth and nightcap. Given the class drop, I expected a softer spot. I still think she can handle this group, but there are a few serious runners in here. Also, there's no telling what the two first time starters have under the bonnet.

Harvey Wins Feature

Jockey displays turf acumen at Santa Rosa once again
Master of the Turf(tm), Barrington Harvey, took the feature today [.pdf warning] aboard the Angelo Tekos trained Private Assets. The previously unraced chestnut colt was pinched a bit at the start after popping out of the one hole. The rail can be a tricky spot for any horse, particularly a first time starter. Expert race rider Harvey panicked not, taking a hold and lying in wait. When hall of famer Russell Baze sent his mount to the lead, apparently prematurely, Barrington found room to the outside and the colt powered home. Save two light taps of the stick, the soon to be star of Mercedes Stables led the field home under a hand ride. No one in Northern California performs better on turf than Barrington Harvey.

The Green Monkey Hype Caravan Revs Up

Regardless of whether the hype is deserved, I'll tune in with interest if and when The Green Monkey debuts. He's the Anna Kournikova of racing. Everyone's interested in them, even if there isn't much actual competing going on.

Thus, do not mistake the July 23, 2007 headline that reads, The Green Monkey Could Swing Into Action at Saratoga with the headline $16m The Green Monkey may make debut at Saratoga from one year and 2 days ago.

Video of My Race Mule

I was gonna buy you a gold tooth, but you don't never smile



While Movement has been garnering most of the attention of late, I also own a small piece of a slow mule. RTR Lost in the Fog, named after the NorCal champion sprinter, lacks his namesake's zip, but never fails to entertain. Here's some video of his last outing. Most will find the Soundtrack--the Junior Wells classic Galloping Horses A Lazy Mule--more enjoyable than vid of a mule walking in a circle and finishing the race in a photo for last. It's still worth a play if you have sound, though.

Movement 4th Again

Movement finished fourth in a solid field of maidens Saturday at Pleasanton. Jockey Barrington Harvey in the irons, pictured.

Not By a Longshot Author T.D. Thornton Q&A

T.D. Thornton, author of the best horse racing book to be published since Seabiscuit, participated in The Blood-Horse's Talkin' Horses series yesterday. It is not to be missed.

Senator Yee introduces CHRB reform bill

Legislation that would change the current membership of the commission that oversees horse racing in California and require other "ethics reform" was introduced by State Senator Leland Yee June 26. [Blood-Horse]

Movement to be tested in Pleasanton

The filly drew into a five and one half furlong 25k maiden claimer [past performances - pdf warning] to be run Saturday June 30th at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. Superjock Barrington Harvey will be aboard for her second off the layoff outing. I couldn't be happier to have him in the irons.

Pleasanton is known as a speed favoring track, but on opening day horse were also successful coming from just off the pace, although no deep closers prevailed. Movement has displayed versatility and has some tactical speed. She can come from off the pace or set it. I'm inclined to believe she prefers to make one run, although she is flexible as to when you press the button.

Stockton final joceky standings

[scroll down....blogspot is buggy when it comes to html tables]

Leading Jockeys at Stockton	Races/Wins/2nds/3rds	Earnings
Carlos Ignacio Silva	44 11 9 9	$131,172
Juan Ochoa	44 8 9 6	$97,247
Pedro Flores	33 8 6 8	$73,441
Luis Contreras	28 7 4 3	$87,314
Catalino Martinez	16 6 2 2	$63,468
Francisco Duran	35 5 4 6	$53,451
Modesto Linares	31 5 3 2	$48,649
Joe M. Castro	25 3 7 1	$65,300
Barrington Harvey	47 3 5 3	$46,056
Luis V. Martinez	32 3 4 4	$41,009
Juan Avila	15 3 3 1	$21,810
Kyle Kaenel	16 2 6 2	$31,542

Stockton Stewards' Highly Controversial "No Change"

You be the judge: incompetence, criminal negligence, or the right call.

In the seventh race at Stockton today (June 22nd) a horse appeared to break through the gate before the starter sent the field on its way. You can see replay at CalRacing.com with a free subscription.

On track, a number of spectators and bettors were livid at the failure to declare the 4 horse, Classic Delini, a non-starter. The pan view shows Classic Delini popped out of the gate at least a length ahead of all other starters. When this was played on the jumbo-tron in the infield the Stockton crowd groaned in disgust, as it would be improbable that a horse could be that far ahead of the rest of the field without breaking through the gate. Conspiracy theories began circulating immediately.

After watching the replay many times, while the pan view does look suspicious, the head on view is also telling. It appears that all the gates spring at the same time, and that Classic Delini was merely lunging at exactly the moment the gates opened. It does not appear that the horse forced the gate open at all, and the stewards made the right call. Nonetheless, do make your own judgement.

Da Goat Displays Bad Judgement

racing website proprietor books hapless blogger Tote Board Brad as weekly guest, bringing shame to his once proud online destination

That's right folks, Da Goat is slumming it by interviewing yours truly this week. Check out this weeks Goat, and if you can stomach it have a listen to the weekly interview found on the right hand side of the Goat homepage in which I spout off about NorCal racing, the California fair circuit, and my filly.

The Jockey's Agent

Image courtesy of Emeldi.

CDI's New CEO Contunes to Make Mark

Since taking over the Churchill Downs, Inc. helm, CEO Robert Evans has implemented a solid strategy of vertical integration. Recently CDI bought a 50% interest in HRTV from competitor Manga Entertainment, then launched their own wagering platform, twinspires.com. Now they have made perhaps the best acquisition of all, a provider of past performances data.
It was only a matter of time before the industry realized that the real money is in handle, not in selling data. As the price of data moves toward zero, handle will increase by a factor that will far outweigh the lost revenue.
How many times have you come home in the evening and wanted to play maybe one or two races for a couple of bucks, but weren't going to shell out $4.50 for a paper form, or $3.50 for online pps from drf.com? CDI appears to have seen the light and I would watch for a drastic decrease in the price of their data on their signals in the near term.

Movement 4th in Comebacker

Movement ran a credible fourth [chart - pdf warning] Thursday against solid company. Billy Mac's Forestry filly just nosed us out of third pace money, which cost me $900. This is a game of inches.

She broke sharply, then settled. In fact, she settled so much, I though she just wasn't going to pick up her feet, that she was horrible outclassed, or completely off her game. Then she came with quite a bit in the lane to make up a lot of ground. My initial reaction was that our jockey, Pedro Flores, waited too long to press the button. After watching the replay, he did get after her at the top of the stretch and rode hard through the lane. Perhaps he should have kept her slightly closer to the pace, but upon watching the race several times now, it was not the offensive ride I initially thought.

Initial reports are that she came out of the race great. The folks at the barn said she was not tired and scarcely drank any water. She was coming like a house afire at the wire, and was difficult to pull up. If the race really didn't take much out of her we might run her back sooner than we have in the past. We might even see her at Stockton.

Given the way she ran many folks at the paddock bar suggusted she may want to go long. And, she might, but she might be just as apt as a sprinter. She did everything the jock asked of her from taking back to changing leads to changing lanes in traffic to having a pretty strong answer when he finally asked the question. These are the trappings of a professional racehorse.

Today is the Day

Movement is running today at Golden gate fields against 20k claimers, and it's a tough set. She's going to have to step it up a good piece just to bring home a check much less win. If I want to be hopeful, i'd say she's coming in off a long layoff and could show marked improvement, but several of these horses stand the same chance. I'm hoping for the best, but feel free to offer your own opinion as you peruse the past performances. [her name is Movement and you can learn how to read the past performances at The Daily Racing Form.

Filly Prepares for 1st Start Off the Layoff

Last week Movement worked 6 furlongs from the gate in 1:14 and change. she came out of the gate sharply, settled, and bopped back and forth with her workmate, an older horse that was supposed to be in front at the end. She was on the inside and relaxed enough to let the other horse take as much as a 1/2 length lead at times, but then would come on again and take a head lead. They went back and forth for about half a mile before Movement took a permanant lead. Even after three quarters, she galloped out well and was tough to pull up.

This morning she posted a four furlong bullet work in 48 & 3, good for the 4th best time of 17 29 at the distance. [more works came in since i posted this. one in 48 flat and two others at 48 & 2.]

Were looking to start her in a Maiden 20 claimer on June 7th. Maiden 20 for 3 year olds should be a good sight easier than the same conditions for 2yos because all those good horses at that level have won and moved on. There can always be a big droppers or a late developing horses in the races, though, so a win is by no means assured. I think she will be competitive, though.

Filly Prepares for 1st Start Off the Layoff

Last week Movement worked 6 furlongs from the gate in 1:14 and change. she came out of the gate sharply, settled, and bopped back and forth with her workmate, an older horse that was supposed to be in front at the end. She was on the inside and relaxed enough to let the other horse take as much as a 1/2 length lead at times, but then would come on again and take a head lead. They went back and forth for about half a mile before Movement took a permanant lead. Even after three quarters, she galloped out well and was tough to pull up.

This morning she posted a four furlong bullet work in 48 & 3, good for the best time of 17 at the distance.

Were looking to start her in a Maiden 20 claimer on June 7th. Maiden 20 for 3 year olds should be a good sight easier than the same conditions for 2yos because all those good horses at that level have won and moved on. There can always be a big droppers or a late developing horses in the races, though, so a win is by no means assured. I think she will be competitive, though.

Let not life be but a walking shadow

I have one of two choices -- stay in the post office and go crazy, or stay out here ... and starve. I have decided to starve.

--Charles Bukowski upon leaving his government job
November 1969




Standby....more to come

...

Update!

I put in notice at my job to follow the ponies for a while. Look for me on the backstretch of the NorCal fair circuit tracks this summer. I may be mucking stalls, walking hots, perhaps even hustling book if I'm lucky enough. The accountant is out.

Mule Racing Season Nears

The traditional kickoff to mule racing season is the Winnemucca meet in north central Nevada and is scheduled for the first three days of June this year. Last year press from around the globe descended on Winnemucca do cover the cloned mules as they battled it out on track. This year may eve be more exciting for me, as I am a first time race mule owner. Pictured above is RTR Lost in the Fog, who's sire is suspected of siring champion mule Black Ruby. Officially Black Ruby's sire is unknown. RTR Fog has been burning up the track in qualifying heats, posting the fasted times of lot so far. In Nevada we'll see if his morning talent transfers to afternoon success.

Headlines Lacking

Panty Raid won the Black-Eyed Susan today and the headlines read a ho-hum Black-Eyed Susan Stakes belongs to Panty Raid and Panty Raid Takes Black-Eyed Susan. Given that the cheesiest of headlines employing the most lame plays on words are routinely trotted out I think we can do better than this. Shoot, every Fraternity lad in the infield came up with something worthy before plunking down their two dollars on Panty Raid's sniffer. What do you suggest?

Scoop!?!

Rumor mongers on the backstretch of questionable reliability report that Jack Liebau, President of Bay Meadows, this past week submitted to the CHRB a request for racing dates in 2008 for the "doomed" racetrack. My usual sources for everything CHRB related were unable to confirm the rumor, and others that I often rely on for such inside information were unable to confirm as well. However, one connected source did say that regardless of whether Bay Meadows has as of yet requested dates, (s)he fully expects them to make a request. Furthermore, tabbing the in the know crowd, a common theme emerges: the idea that Bay Meadows will run in 2008 is "generally accepted as fact," as one racetracker put it.

Another rumor, equally as unsubstantiated, yet strongly believed by it's espousers, is that Golden Gate Fields will not install a synthetic surfaces this summer, as reported. The conspiracy theory goes something like this: Magna is broke, doesn't really want to shell out the cash, and thus did not acquire the proper permits and line up the appropriate contractors to begin construction. Given that Bay Meadows may get their waiver, Golden Gate should get one as well.

Stay tuned. I'll see what else I can dig up this week, hopefully with a little more sourcing and a little less rumor mill.

Update: Here's a DRF article on the possible delay installing a synthetic surface at Golden Gate Fields. No further word on Bay Meadows requesting racing dates yet.

CHRB Gets Comeuppance

Citing many of the CHRB's failures, a state Senate budget sub-committee pulled their funding for the 2007-08 fiscal year this week. The senate took umbrage with CHRB chairman Richard Shapiro's failure to lead the Board to grant a waiver allowing Bay Meadows to remain open an additional two years, once before. Leland Yee then introduced a bill in the Senate calling for Shapiro's resignation. This time the Senate has a much longer list of failures they would like addressed.

Notice also mention of Freedom of Information Act violations. I can vouch for that personally.

Adam Keigwin, spokesman for Yee, insisted the Bay Meadows closure is not the sole issue. He said the commission has been responsible for lax investigation, Freedom of Information Act violations, poor staff morale resulting in numerous resignations, and even requests for taxpayer-funded limousine use. [Bloodhorse]

One item not noted is that the agency is not audited annually, while I know of no other agency that also does not get audited. This would be a fine time for the legislature to call for that,as well.

Calvin, Please Go To Hollywood - Our Sport Needs You!

After winning the Kentucky Derby, Calvin Borel is in demand--not just on track and at the Whitehouse, but in Hollywood. Unfortunately he turned down a recent request from Jay Leno to appear on the Tonight Show, favoring returning to a normal schedule of working horses and perhaps even mucking stalls for his brother Cecil.

Borel is such a wonderful asset for racing. He is incredibly likable and authentic, and his Cajun draw colored turns of phrase are always a delight to listen to. I hope he decides he can take some time to work the late night talk show circuit because it would be so good for the game. I can't imagine a better ambassador for racing.

Former MEC Parent Magna Int'l Gets Serious About Chrysler

Russian firm takes stake in Magna, Chrysler eyed

DETROIT/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International Inc. said on Thursday it had secured a $1.54 billion investment from a firm controlled by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska in a move aimed first at expansion in the fast-growing Russian auto market. The cash infusion could also help Magna fund a bid to buy struggling U.S. automaker Chrysler Group from its German corporate parent, DaimlerChrysler, in ongoing talks in which Magna has been seen as front runner by many analysts.

Readings: Bukowski

Long day at the track. Drank a bottle of wine, lucked onto some poems. I'm 70 now. What a fucking farce. Death is no matter. I am ready for that fucker. Just about swept the card on Labor Day. Won $497.80. Went out today and won $44. It's not the money. The money is the indicattor.

Now we've got this checkmate war. But I still listen to Mozart. 4 walls and a good night's sleep beats getting sucked-off by any starlet.

--Charles Bukowski
September 4, 1990
Excerpt from a letter to playwright Paul Peditto

Sloppy Journalism

I didn't cash a ticket on the Derby. Beyond that, if you want insight see the selection of TBA writers that have written assessments worthy of your time in my sidebar to the right. As of this writing, Curb, Swift, Gate and Foolish have commentary up.

Now I will lambaste the media. Lets start with Reuters, above. You know, I don't believe a 2 year old has ever won the Derby before. Below is a similar error made by the Houston Chronicle. I can only imagine that when these jackass reporters that know nil about racing learned that Street Sense is the reigning 2 year old champion, they thought he was still two years old. If, like me, you cashed no tickets in this years Derby, you are entitled to be smug about such sloppy journalism.

Derby Selections

Cowtown Cat is the worst horse in the race, a despicable animal, barely a member of the horse family.

--Andy Beyer

My top pick is Cowtown Cat. I'll play a boxed exacta and trifecta with him, Tiago and Circular Quay.

This Book is a Deserving Favorite

A month ago I began reading Not by a Long Shot, author T.D. Thornton's behind the scenes account of one year at the hard scrabble New England track Suffolk Downs. Mr. Thornton, in a hat tipped to bloggers, sent advance copies to a few of us, and after plowing through the first hundred pages in furious delight, I promptly lost mine--sacrificed to a Muni bus or a BART train, most likely. I hope it finds a good home, and although I feel boneheaded for losing it, I enjoyed it so much I felt I should have paid for it anyway. My newly ordered copy should arrive any day now.

Hopefully I'll finish it before the Belmont Stakes and write a review, but in the meantime I can tell you the ultimate answer already. You should put this book on your reading list, racing fan or not. Not only do you get descriptions of the inner workings of a racetrack, but also what many of my readers come here for, which are the human interest stories that are intrinsically embedded in racing. Thornton delivers both with grit and flair. Both Mother's Day and Father's Day are coming up. Put it on your shopping list for the readers who brought you into the world.

Straight Shooter

Movement breezed a half mile in 49 flat this past Sunday, which was eleventh best of 26 at the distance. The work was the best she has put in since at least December, as she stayed straight this time. She has had a bad habit of getting out her last several works and in her last two starts. This is very promising.

Here's video of her breeze, Juan Ochoa aboard, accompanied by bluesman Lightin' Hopkins.

Red Bluff Round-Up

Last weekend the Red Bluff Round-Up played host to packed stands and offered a wide selection of rodeo and bush racing activities. Enjoy the video and pics below. Note that the object of the wild horse race is to saddle the unbroken horse and ride one lap around the track. Of the 10 teams, I believe only a couple saddled their horse, and only one completed the circuit on the day I captured this video, taking home the prize money.


After Saturday's strong rains muddied the track, the lovely ladies of the Round-Up got a touch messy during the cowgirl race.









Enjoy these additional images from the Round-Up.

Pan Update

Movement is back from the ranch. I saw her fresh off the trailer and she looked like hell when she first got back. Jamey has her looking remarkable better after just a few weeks and she breezed an impressive 36 2/5 last week. She got out a bit after the wire, which was behavior we saw before she left. She is breezing tomorrow as well.

The Daily Racing form is back on the block. I'm not referencing any sources, but if memory serves it has sold between $47 million an d~$200 million the last three times it's exchanged hands.

A Leg Up

Kyle Kaenel, now comfortably up on his mount in the walking ring before the Friday night opener at Bay Meadows, let out a belly laugh like only a man at least three times his weight has the right to. A lot happened before we got to that chortle though.

While taking in morning works at Golden Gate Fields, at some point each morning I try to corner trainer Steve Miyadi to coax out opinions and observations. Miyadi has a significantly higher tolerance for my antics than any other backstretch denizen and if I’ve had enough coffee such that I can traverse the requisite salutary verbal sparing, I oft extract some key pearls.

On Friday morning while Movement’s trainer Jamey Thomas was working the phones and under lockdown with (other) needy owners, I set my sites on Miyadi. After I lobbed a few whos, hows, and whys, we settled on the topic of racing literature for a moment. There was a lot of “yeah, I read that,” “he really captured it in that book” and some “it was too much from the bettors perspective”. We’d read most of the same books and had mostly the same opinions of them.

Since conversations with Steve Miyadi are generally based on conflict and develop like a blend of a smart ass professor’s approach to the Socratic method and schoolyard hooligans particularly apt at playing cut down, this rare mutual ascent qualified as a moment. Jamey had no entries on Friday night’s card and this was the perfect time to cajole Miyadi into letting me and my buddies join him in the paddock at the races later.

That night, my friends hadn’t turned up yet as the horses in the opener were being saddled. As Miyadi walked out from the paddock to the walking ring I accosted the conditioner with a continuation of the mornings discussion of racing books and thrust a copy of John Sullivan’s Bloodhorses toward him intended to show my appreciation. The agreeable imposter from the morning had been vanquished and he let loose a tirade why Sullivan’s tome was merely a baseball book parading as equine literature for marketing purposes and was undeserving of a true racetrackers attention. This didn’t put me off and I argued back, albeit feebly, before he took jockey Chad Schvaneveldt aside for instructions. Then he gave Jockey Kyle Kaenel the low down on the other half of his uncoupled entry, which together comprised 40% of the field and attracted ~70% of the wagering dollars.

The horses were in the ring and the three horse had just passed me, the four and five horses being Miyadi’s. At this point he and Chad began walking along side the four horse as the trainer was about to leg him up and said “Brad, you’re going to give Kyle a leg up.” “Ummmkay,” I said meekly, knowing that I wouldn’t have time to say no anyway. Kyle needs to be on that horse in about four more seconds, as the two of us begin walking along side the mare’s path.

I’ve legged up exercise riders a few times, but that is with a stationary horse. Rocket science it is not but in the few brief moments as we approached Kyle’s mount I became acutely aware of the burgeoning Friday night crowd, all wanting to get a look at grand ol’ Bay Meadows before being razed. I also noticed the power of the horseflesh as one eager mare reared up and threw her head and mane about.

Now the five mare was even with us, eyeballing me with contempt, and Kyle’s step sped and shortened in a graceful skip, anticipating a leg up. All I have to do is reach down with one hand and lift up as the jock cocks his leg, I thought to myself. Then, as I reached down, Kyle took another mini step, reached out to mount the horse when I missed his leg. He came down hard, breaking his jaw with a vicious crack while the horse reared, freed herself from the groom, trampled Kyle, took out Miyadi, then hopped the rail and trampled four or five children and an expectant mother on the apron. That and about nineteen other equally as tragic scenarios went threw my head in those last few split seconds before Kyle was aboard the odds-on favorite. He looked back at my stone white face, unleashing that big laugh, saying “Shoot, I’m riding her, and you’re more nervous than me!”

To be in the walking ring, listening in on horsemen’s banter, seeing the tacked fillies and mares parading, and then legging up a jockey, make for halcyon moments for a fanatic of this sport like me. I’ll trade embarrassment for that any day of the week, and twice on Friday nights at Bay Meadows.

The Day in Pictures - Bay Meadows

There's no cure for the workweek blues like a day at the racetrack.

The story line went something like this.


Pictured, from left to right: Jamey, Dave, Trainer Ricardo Perez, Jockey Kyle Kaenel
Kyle Kaenel cracked wise about the spill he was in yesterday which caused him to take off mounts for the day. Kaenel went head first over the front of this mount, and then a trailing horse flipped over the downed horse. It is truly amazing he escaped serious injury, but does sport some battle wounds, his bandaged ear the most visable.


Hollywood Park track announcer, TVG personality, and occasional jockeys agent Vic Stauffer listens skeptically as the nation's reigning leading trainer by winning percentage, Steve Miyadi tells him how it is on the Bay Meadows apron.


Top trainers Armando Lage and Jerry Hollendorfer stare each other down before the second race. (note the four horse in the background. I swear that horse was eyeballing these two trainers right back.)


In the end, whatever Miyadi was telling Stauffer, he apparently meant it, getting his picture taken after the race.

Women in the Irons

Recently The Bug Boys alerted us to an outstanding article about women jockeys. Unlike in other sports, there are not separate women's and men's divisions, but women compete against men directly, and routinely beat them. And like the men, the women too lay claim to the title of pound-for-pound, the toughest athletes on the face of the earth.

Photos of the Week

Race Fan Lements Bay Meadows' Impending Closure

Jenny the Exercise Rider's Triumphant Return

There are two things that seem to attract readers' attention and cause huge spikes in traffic to this blog. One is when Movement is entered and starts in a race. The other is anything related to her exercise rider, Jenny, particularly if a pic is included. After graduating from UC-Davis, she is now on the backstretch again working horses full time. It's good to have her back.

Monday Diversion

Click on each horse, requires sound.

1999 Kentucky Derby

Any Given Saturday vs. Street Sense

This was a hell of a race. I really appreciate Tampa Bay Downs posting the video. (3/17/07, 12th race) I'd like a little higher res version, but its great to get it at all. Also the file includes extras, with some of the gallop out, slow motion of the finish, fractional times with an odds graphic layover. It seems like a ripe opportunity to play with your iMovie or Final Cut video editing software.

The Tout Files

The Jamey Thomas trained Purpley is entered in the 5th race tonight at Bay Meadows. The barn, and everyone on the backstretch, were high on this horse for his debut, as she was bet down to 9/2. The filly was even 8/5 with a few minutes to post, then drifted up. She finished an uninspired 6th in the race and never threatened. This is one of my favorite angles: The Jamey Thomas beaten favorite (or short priced horse, in this case) coming back at long odds. She is 15-1 on the morning line and I would take anything better than 8-1.

Also, I've seen this horse and she is enormous. If she can pick up her feet just a little bit she should be able to handle this bunch. Of course the breeding is suspect, but as an individual she is impressive. She's a bit of a head case, though, so keep an eye on her in the paddock. If she didn't handle the van ride over or has race day jitters, hold back. If she looks good, though, I'm going to get down at what I hope to be a very good price. Since it seems everyone else on the backstretch bet her but me last time, I feel like I got away with one and have money to burn.

Boomsma Lives Up to Billing

At the behest of Superfecta during a recent discussion of our favorite libations over at Turf Luck, I picked up a bottle of the Dutch gin Boomsma. I was not disappointed. This very smooth gin is incredibly aromatic and delicious to the point where you don't really need any vermouth at all. I believe this will become my new gin of choice.

Saint Patrick's Day Eve

Break out your penny whistle, a frosty Guinness, and your best river dancing shoes. And to get you ready for the good holiday tomorrow, do enjoy this music video.

Movement Takes it on the Chin

Everyone's favorite race filly, Movement, had an altercation with her pasture mate over the weekend. She caught a hoof in the chin courtesy of a Quiet American filly. It's superficial and shouldn't effect her training in any way, but I'm sure it gave her a bit of a start. She'll be back in the Jamey Thomas barn at Golden Gate Fields soon and in training after her respite in the mountains.

Pic courtesy of partner Irv who went up for a visit at the ranch.

-In other news, the pools remain open as Downtown has not yet reported any information that might move the line. I believe she had a date with the Houseguest last night, so there may be some inside information floating about.

Riders Up

Case Study in Creating a Balanced Morning Line

One of my guilty pleasures is reading dater blogs, which essentially chronicle someone's dating life. It's amazing how folks will reveal so many intimate details (usually anonymously) during their search for love or sex. Reading their story can be very entertaining, in that Mexican soap opera kind of way.

A few buddies and I have a somewhat regular contest where we establish odds and bet on who a blogger will shag next--or more properly stated, who they admit to shagging next, or lie about shagging next, since we don't actually know these people.

We rotate who plays the bookmaker and sets the line, and everyone else bets. We've developed a few other rules and conventions out of necessity to resolve ambiguous results and such, but I wont get into that right now. The important thing is setting up the line for the bookmaker and making your selection as the bettor. If nothing else, this exercise has made me think more about how to set up a balanced morning line.

One single girl's blog, Downtown-Chic, offers a particularly illustrative example right now, and since a couple of my usual betting partners are on vacation or otherwise unavailable to play, I'll establish the line for you. Remember, you're betting on who the blogger will sleep with next.

Currently, I've established the line for Downtown and her suitors in a Google spreadsheet. Feel free to copy it and use it for actual horse races if you like, or just review the simple formulas. In this instance we assume there is no takeout, but the spread sheet can accommodate one.

Lastly, before you berate me for regarding these folks as a wagering opportunity, do read our damsel discussing pedigree analysis of dating prospects. Like her, I wish there was more data, too. If only her and her suitors were on Pedigree Query.

Note, the windows close with Downtown's next post.

The Entries
3-1 The Houseguest
9/2 Dane Cook
10-1 Wall Street
50-1 The Producer
6/5 The Field (all other men)

Handicapping the Damsel and her Suitors
Just like when handicapping a horse race, you should consider the past performances, the conditions, and all other relevant data. What kind of man does this blogger like? Does she put out on the first date? What are the men like? If the blogger requires priming with flowers or flirting for days or weeks, who has a head start in that department? Clearly, there is much to consider.

A Closer Look

3-1 The Houseguest
He's navigated these waters before, already has a date scheduled, and keeps the compliments coming. On the downside, Downtown is not as insecure as when she was dating The Producer, so the compliments she desperately craved then may not be as potent. He is also trouble prone out of the gate. Could be a threat if he brings his "A" game. Mixed feelings.

9/2 Dane Cook
Second time starter with limited data. Downtown seems genuinely interested, as evidenced by the "shameless flirting," and hoss did overcome some adversity in the lane when initially denied a kiss. Could be the value play with his prep behind him.

10-1 Wall Street
Sure, he's the class of the field. These are the ones you always want to hammer at the windows, then can't figure out what went wrong. Keep in mind, Wall Street hasn't even phoned yet, and there are two others that already have dates lined up. Dicey.

50-1 The Producer
Oldtimer has plenty of backclass, has bedded this lass repeatedly, and is known for being good in the sack, yet he is badly off form. This one may not be long for the boudoir and simply can't be taken seriously in this spot. Pass.

6/5 The Field (all other men)
Downtown is not adverse to the one night stand, is fond of the bottle, and there are no shortage of lads wanting to take her home from the pub. Still, it would take just the right lad and Downtown in just the right mood for an as yet unknown quantity to pull off the one night stand with this filly. But, there are no world beaters among the rest of the entries, and can see the right suitor laying some groundwork one night this week, then sweeping 5 wide to get his picture taken a few days later, even if all these fella's have first crack. The pick.

Hatfield and McCoy

Have you ever noticed how Todd Schrupp takes pot shots at Magna and HRTV whenever possible? Top on the list of complaints for many is that he won't mention a Magna track by name. For instance, he refers to Gulfstream Park as a major racetrack in south Florida. Today I enjoyed this exchange between Todd & Frank Lyons:

FL: Thunder Gulch....think he had a good day yesterday?
TS: Yeah, he had a great day with Circular Quay and then at a major racetrack and shopping center Balance won a Grade I race.
FL: Soon to be an arcade near you.
TS: Here's an idea. Lets not use this property for racing.
FL: Put a roller coaster in.*

Most of us that follow the game closely know that Magna is developing a part of Santa Anita's parking area. While I think the project could be beneficial if done right, there are legitimate reason's to object, and plenty of concerns racing fans should want addressed. I think a serious conversation would serve racing fans well, but since TVG, and Schrupp in particular, refuse to even mention the name of the track or cover any happenings at Magna tracks, an intelligent discussion about it can't take place on TVG.

This is certainly beating a dead horse, but it just gets so old. Can you imagine if ESPN refused to cover any sporting event that wasn't televised on their network? Ridiculous. But, that is TVG's model. This is one reason why I am so fond of HRTV. They don't ignore all the racing from the other team. In the past, HRTV would even show big races from TVG exclusive tracks once they went official. Perhaps the production values are lower, but at least they don't insult my intelligence.

What I would suggest is to not throw the baby out with the bathwater, though. Racing fans love the banter and appreciate the on air talent that speak honestly without a filter. But to bash "the other team" in a Fox News like manner adds no value for the viewer. It's not like Republicans vs. Democrats, or Mac vs. PC. We don't care about TVG vs. Magna, we just care about racing.

*I wonder if Frank has noticed how many people there are at Fairplex or the NorCal fairs where they have, gasp, roller coasters.

I Called It!

The big news that Magna is selling a 50% interest in HRTV to CDI came as no surprise to readers of TBA content.

I think a workable model would be for a consortium of race tracks, or even the NTRA, to own racing channels. That may be what we're seeing with HRTV. If Magna sells a 50% interest in HRTV to CDI, then shuts out TVG, maybe then another industry group can buy TVG at fire sale prices. The signal needs to be valued first. TVG is the cart, and it needs to go behind the horse. [Tote Board Brad commenting on Pulling Hair, 1st comment, 2/26/2007]

The industry is taking the logical steps to keep the money in the family, and I only expect it to continue. How long before Gemstar divests of TVG as it is boxed out of content? Gemstar's great advantage is it's relationship with Fox (who owns ~30% last I checked) and with cable and satellite providers. However, the profits end up in the wallets of fat cat media moguls instead of fat cat horse racing magnates. As we all know, media moguls then give that money to presidential candidates, whereas racing magnates blow it on more horses.

Birdbirdistheword Fairgrounds Bound

John at Not to the Swift is the reason I was able to get those pics of Palm Meadows while tagging along as he chronicles Birdbirdistheword's (pictured) journey to the Kentucky Derby. John and Bird will both be in NOLA for the Louisiana Derby at The Fairgrounds on March 10th, so go check out the Bird blog to keep abreast of all the latest. And while you're at it, Rube of Average Horseplayer also has some video of the the Derby contender as well.

More Gulfstream

Did I mention it's an older crowd at Gulfstream? The apron an hour before post is geriatric central.


Here's my good buddy Horse of the Year Invasor.


Better Talk Now before a gallop.


Palm Meadows shedrow.